Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday cast the nation’s wars as a battle of light versus darkness, likening Israel Defense Forces troops to the Maccabees, ushering in a rebirth of Jewish national pride.
“Since the war broke out, we have emphasized that this is a struggle of good versus evil, of light versus darkness,” the longtime leader of the Jewish state told lawmakers during a 40-signature debate, which the opposition can can once a month and which he is required to attend.
He noted that Chanukah, which starts on Dec. 14, commemorates the story of the Maccabees, who led a revolt against the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire that ended in victory and the rededication of the Temple on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount around 2,200 years ago.
“The State of Israel is a great light. Our soldiers, the men and women of the IDF and our security forces, they are the sons and daughters of light. All of them are fulfilling Herzl’s vision of the generation of Maccabees that will arise and be restored to life,” the prime minister continued.
“The new Maccabees, the fighters, the fallen and the wounded, belong to this wondrous generation of victory that continues the chain of heroism of our people,” according to Netanyahu.
“In this chamber, while some speak of ‘collapse,’ I speak of rebirth, of national pride and standing tall. I still hope we can instill this spirit in you,” the premier snapped at opposition lawmakers, adding: “We will continue to act, and with God’s help, we will continue to succeed.”
Chanukah begins at sundown on Sunday and runs through Monday, Dec. 22.
